Justices lift stay order upheld yesterday by panel
The Supreme Court cleared the way last night for Steven
Oken to be put to death by lethal injection, lifting a federal court
order upheld hours earlier that would have indefinitely delayed the
convicted killer's execution. Barring another legal maneuver by Oken's
attorneys or a grant of clemency from Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., Oken
may be executed before midnight tomorrow. [more] Pictured above: Pro- Death protestors in Baltimore.